Tesco will start selling potatoes grown using cutting-edge low-carbon farming technology as part of groundbreaking trials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food production. The supermarket expects to harvest around 520 tonnes of potatoes from its experimental farm in Lincolnshire, enough to supply approximately 260,000 two-kilogram packs to stores later this year.
The retail giant recently unveiled its arable "low-carbon concept farm" at Langrick Farm near Boston, marking a multi-year commitment launched in January to test methods of reducing planet-heating emissions caused by farming. Farmers have begun testing innovative products and techniques across various crops in the fields.
Partnership drives innovation trials
Tesco is working alongside potato supplier Branston and collaborating with pea, wheat and broccoli suppliers on a seven-year crop rotation designed to minimise disease and boost soil health. Branston has been implementing lower-carbon techniques across 20 acres of the farm.
The trials involve testing a range of innovations over the coming years, from robotic tilling and low-nitrogen crop varieties to alternative fuels, biomass heating, pollinator cover crops and anaerobic digesters. Technologies already being tested include R-Leaf, which converts nitrogen pollutants from the atmosphere into plant feed, Ccm Technologies' low-carbon fertiliser, and Omnia, a system designed to map farms and gather data.
Second farm collaboration underway
Langrick represents one of two "low-carbon concept farms" announced by Tesco in January, with the second being a collaboration with livestock producer ABP where trials are currently less established. The supermarket is supporting both farms financially through its contracts with suppliers.
By exploring which innovations prove economically viable and deliver real-world measured impacts, Tesco hopes to de-risk green investments for its supply base. The trials will take several years, coming at a crucial time when 2030 climate targets are fast approaching and increasingly extreme weather patterns are already affecting British farms.
Chief executive explains motivation
Ashwin Prasad, Tesco's UK and Ireland chief executive, said the supermarket has a "vested interest" in a resilient food economy. "Being the leading retailer in the UK, I do think we have a responsibility to lead for the things that create a path for food security, better environmental outcomes, better outcomes for farming families and communities," he told PA.
Some Tesco farmers have told the supermarket that scale-up innovation is inaccessible and expensive, with the risk of investing in unproven technologies too high, according to Prasad. One aim of the trials is to help de-risk low carbon investments for suppliers by establishing which technologies work whilst remaining financially viable for farmers.
Future strategy still developing
The supermarket has not yet outlined a formal strategy on how it will incentivise suppliers to invest in and adopt proven technologies beyond the trials. However, Prasad said Tesco will likely share findings with its sustainable farming groups before exploring opportunities for scale.
"It's early days still," Prasad said. "I think the first thing we've got to do is just make sure we don't run before we've really learnt how to walk in this space, given these are new and emerging technologies, and give ourselves enough time to feel confident about them."
Cost concerns addressed
On whether the cost of investing in these technologies will ultimately be pushed onto farmers or shoppers, Prasad acknowledged that "consumers are really facing tough times in the UK". He said Tesco's role is to "champion them for value" whilst working with suppliers to accelerate technologies "without exorbitant cost increases".
Long-term contracts will likely be a key tool for encouraging farmers to adopt these technologies, providing them with certainty to make investment decisions. Another aim is to get different suppliers working together to find solutions on a pre-competitive basis.
Industry-wide collaboration planned
Prasad confirmed that Tesco will share its findings with other supermarkets, saying "the route to net zero isn't something you are able to achieve on your own". He emphasised that achieving national climate targets requires everyone to work together and understand which technologies can be scaled effectively.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
